A couple of week’s ago we headed to San Diego for a little holiday. My husband was attending a conference so the kids and I were left to explore on our own…staying just 90 steps from the beach (or so the condo marketing claimed:). Needless to say we spent a fair amount of time on the beach…exploring for marine life – dead and alive; setting up a bakery and pho shop (cuz doesn’t every child make Vietnamese pho when at the beach); boogie boarding;… The boogie boarding took a couple of days to happen due to the number of jellyfish washed up on the beach…even though he knows how many times I have been stung and I am still here:). We then explored some of the local attractions – Safari Park, Birch Aquarium and the Zoo. We missed Sea World this time as we had to head home for the dog. We had a ton of fun and will definitely be doing that again…next time we will be taking bikes and exploring that way.

Love how he is holding his arms…they are like this in a few.

He was enjoying watching the life along the boardwalk. Don’t blame him, there was always something to see:)

The most we saw of Daddy as he had 14+ hour days:(.

No, no, no!

This is child care for giraffe. The little ones sit in formation like this so the adults can watch them easier…if only!!

Take time to smell the flowers:)

No pictures please!

Posted this on FB but thought that I would share here too. “I hope nobody is watching”.

Still a little worried:)

Freezing…not really!

Carefree!

Shark egg sacks:)

Touching sea urchins

Trying to touch a fish

After he succeeded:)

A speedier way to dinner which in the end was not as I ended up carrying her, the scooter and my camera. Definitely need to work on her endurance!

Downtime

Komodo dragon and his deadly saliva…you know you have a boy when you know this stuff!I know you have already seen this but it is a favourite!

Canadian Blood Services’ tagline “it’s in you to give” is very fitting for this post. I posted this video on my US website to help raise awareness but wanted to share here too as it is important. The video definitely acted as a call to action for my husband and I – I called right away to get us scheduled with Lifestream. Mike has always been really good about donating blood as he is Type O negative (universal donor) and he has always made it a priority to give in this way. This video really resonated with me as I had never thought as to how much blood the banks can go through from one accident – if you do not have time to watch the whole video, the 4:30 to 5:30 minute was what hit home to me.

My family finally made the trip to the beach a few weekends ago. We had been so busy getting settled and with me away for three of the weekends that we had not been able to get out and do anything fun as a family. So off we went! I chose the beach that was closest to where we live – 1 hour away. I have since learned from the locals that there are so many others I should have picked. Funny as a Canadian, I am not too picky about a beach…this had everything I was looking for water, sand, wind, two happy kids who love the beach as much as me and a pier (the longest pier into the Pacific actually):) I will be sure to check out the rest though too – knowing it can only get better.

Part of the reason for posting these is to share with a client that is coming down at the beginning of April and we are meeting for a beach session. I just wanted to show her a few things. Also, I am in Calgary right now and missing my kids like crazy so it seemed like the perfect thing to blog:) The bottom right hand picture is my favourite – it just screams fun, free, new adventure and exploration to me! That will definitely be a big canvas in my house soon! It has been an awesome few days in Calgary and I will have a ton more to share soon!

I will be in San Diego for 2 weeks in July if your family would like to consider something like this for your session this year.

As I mentioned previously, I am making time to appreciate and take in all the little things. Most importantly to document them. This is how I remember – through pictures. I came across this image as I was quickly going through images of the last few months (again). This image says a lot to me. My “three” children, my empty house, the feeling of things being a bit unsettled and at the same time children’s ability to adapt (definitely better than mine:). I am INCREDIBLY thankful for the opportunities that we have been given as a family and I am doing my best to enjoy EVERY.SINGLE. MOMENT.